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New to soccer (or as the rest of the world calls it - football)? So am I! This is my place to share thoughts about the sport and news and commentary about the clubs I'm following. Who am I following? LA Galaxy, IF Elfsborg, Falkenbergs FF, Liverpool FC, and LAFC. Send comments to rrblog[at]yahoo[dot]com.

Liverpool Klopp Episode 48 - Yellow Submarine

Villarreal FC adopted the Yellow Submarine song for their club and will be sailing into Anfield with a 1-0 lead for leg 2 of the Europa League semi-final. Will their fans be singing the famed Beatle song as the victors at the final whistle? Or will Liverpool be able to turn their ship around that is headed for defeat at the moment?

Though it is great news to hear that Emre Can is training with the club after recovering from injury, I don't see how you put him into a match like this without prior game experience. About the only debate for line-up selection is whether Sturridge will start.

Excerpt:Liverpool’s goalkeeper and back four pretty much picks itself. Joe Allen and Lucas started in midfield in the first leg [......] James Milner and Philippe Coutinho will play, which leaves a choice; two from Sturridge, Firmino and Adam Lallana.
My guess is that Klopp is going to stick to his line-up and have Sturridge as a second half-sub when LFC may need to take more risks to either even up the score or go for the win.

Pre-game:

3 of 4 Echo writers vote for Sturridge to start. I'm with Andy Kelly voting that Sturridge enters in the second half going for the go ahead goal (LFC up 1-0 but tied in aggregate 1-1) or having to get the equalizer (0-0 with LFC down 1-0 in aggregate) to send it to extra-time.

If I understand the extra-time rules, if Villarreal gets a goal at Anfield thus taking a 2-0 lead in aggregate would mean Liverpool would need three goals to win as two goals would result in a 2-2 aggregate but LFC would lose on away goals 1-0.

Will be interesting to see if Villarreal "parks the bus" daring Liverpool to send more players into the final third to crack the lock but leaving themselves open to the counter attack.

Line-up:

There you go.... Sturridge is in as is Can! LFC wants that equalizing goal early! Go Liverpool!

7' LFC scores on an own goal. 1-0 (1-1 aggregate)!
Rob Bagchi at UK Telegraph:
"Clyne has been flying up the right and when found by Can's clever crossfield run and pass he crosses through the box. Villarreal panic, Areola flaps again (I've jinxed him) but the ball skids past everyone out to Firmino who knocks it back in and the ball bounces across the area to the far post where Sturridge tries to bundle it in on the slide. He connects but knocks it on to Bruno who diverts it past the keeper with his thigh."

Audio broadcast by the Liverpool FC announcing duo can be found at LiverpoolFC.com (registration required but the audio feed is free). US TV coverage is through FS1.

63' Sturridge scores! 2-0 (2-1 aggregate)!

Don't get overconfident, Villarreal only needs a goal to advance because they would win a 2-2 aggregate due to away goals.

71' Oh my, Villarreal's Ruiz has picked up a second yellow! They are down to 10-men.

15 minutes to go! Will Klopp send anyone in for defensive purposes? Villarreal will be throwing everyone forward to get the winner.

81' Lallana! 3-0 (3-1 aggregate)!

Next up in Europa League - a showdown with Sevilla on May 18 in Basal!